Hear our interview with Rebecca Grant, originally aired on KNSJ 89.1 FM:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

(Note: Audio files can take a few moments to load)

March 18, 2016 (San Diego) -- Rebecca Grant, author of A Sticky Web of Vengeance: The Coach's Wife sat down for an exclusive interview with East County Magazine Radio Show's Bookshelf host Reina Menasche.

Grant endured shocking revelations about her well-known husband's past, forgave him and stood by him in his final challenge: a battle with brain cancer.  She survived these hardships only to endure betrayal by his family members. Yet she weathered the storms in her life, finding inner strength.

She has since dedicated her life to activism, hoping to help others. 

Hear our interviews with Craig Beswick, Nick Marinovich and Priscilla Schreiber:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

East County News Service

March 16, 2016 (San Diego's East County) --  The Grossmont Union High School District Board majority's proposed redistricting plan is among the most controversial actions taken by a board long mired in contention over a variety of issues -- many of which stand to be influenced by the outcome of redistricting.  East County Magazine's radio show on KNSJ sat down with several individuals who have voiced strong opposition to the plan approved by the board and now awaiting action by the County Department of Education's Committee on School District Organization.

Click the link above this story to listen online now to a podcast of  our interviews and comments from trustee Priscilla Schreiber, Diego Valley Charter Net principal Craig Beswick, former Citizens Bond Oversight Committee member Nick Marinovich, and Chaldean Chamber President Ben Kalasho on this important issue (originally aired on KNSJ 89.1 FM radio).

The County's committee plans five upcoming hearings to get public comment on the proposed redistricting plan, as well as the GUHSD's request to waive a public vote. The five hearings are set for March 17 in La Mesa, March 28 in El Cajon,  April 4 in Alpine,  April 5 in Jamul, and April 11 in Lakeside.  The public can testify at the meetings and also submit written comments up until April 7. 

Hear our interview, which originally aired on the East County Magazine Radio Show on KNSJ  89.1 FM on December 14, 2015: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Ice core sample, Creative Commons image from AntarcticGlaciers.org

February 27, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Jeffrey Severinghaus, PhD, is one of the world’s top climate scientists.   A professor of geosciences at Scripps Institute of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, he was recently appointed to the prestigious National Academy of Sciences.   Dr. Severinghaus has pioneered research efforts measuring trapped gas bubbles in ice cores in Antarctica and Greenland to detect past ocean temperature changes – with astonishing results.

Asked about climate skeptics who claim climate change is merely cyclical, he quickly dispels the theory that recent warming is part of an age-old trend.  That’s because molecules from burning fossil fuels are chemically different from carbon naturally seeping from the ocean floor.  The differences are obvious, measurable, and provide clear evidence that man’s actions are rapidly accelerating climate change.

Our December 2015 radio shows are now online!  You can listen online now (sound files may take a minute to load). For links to listen to the shows plus a full list of topics and interviews in December, click here and scroll down.

Our newsmaker interviews included climate scientist Jeffrey Severinghaus of Scripps Institute, Assembly candidate Mike Harrison, authors Caitlin Rother (Then No One Can Have Her) and Bill Swank (Christmas in San Diego), geologist Norrie Robbins on her efforts to bring science to kids on Native American reservations, and Jawdat Al Obeidi on a Chaldean youth conference, plus some “best of East County” reruns including some holiday favorites.

Listen now:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

(Note: Sound file may take a few moments to load)

January 31, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) --Congresswoman Susan Davis was our special guest on the East County Magazine radio show on KNSJ on January 21^st.

She shared highlights of the past Congressional session, her legislative efforts, and what we can expect in the coming year. Topics covered include education reforms, college affordability, healthcare, hate targeting religious minorities, support for military women, families and veterans. She also spoke out on the need to prevent future infrastructure disasters such as the L.A. natural gas leak and Flint water poisoning, both the results of regulatory failures.

Draining stopped days after our radio broadcast and coverage

By Miriam Raftery

January 22, 2016 (Lake Morena) – Back in February 2014, we ran a story exposing Lake Morena residents’ criticisms of the City of San Diego for draining the Lake Morena Reservoir down to a mere puddle of its former self.  We also aired a radio interview (listen at link) with area residents and a city representative, which won an award from Society of Professional Journalists for best talk radio broadcast. 

After the recent rains, the water level at Lake Morena is still only 2.6 percent of capacity. But here’s some good news for lakefront residents: Kurt Kidman, public information officer for the City, advised East County Magazine this week, “With respect to Morena Reservoir, the City stopped drafting water out of Morena Reservoir back in February 2014 and we have not resumed any drafting since.”

In our radio interview aired that same month, a city official admitted that San Diego had done essentially nothing to ask its citizens to conserve water before making its decision to decimate a lake popular with recreational users, eliminate wildlife habitat and negatively impact the lifestyle and property values for years  to come.

By Janis Russell

Hear a podcast of our interview aired on KNSJ  radio: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

January 8, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) - Camp Onward is designed for teens with Asperger’s Syndrome to help with social skills. East County Magazine recently sat down with founder Nancy Hagan, director Kathy Gerstenberg, and parent of a kid with Asperger’s Syndrome, Laura Preble. We asked them questions about how the camp got started, its impact on the kids and parents, and what the camp is like among other topics.

January 3, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- Our November 2015 radio shows are now online!  You can listen online now (sound files may take a minute to load). For links to listen to the shows plus a full list of topics and interviews in November, click here and scroll down.

Our newsmaker interviews include Molly Nocom (photo, left) on her amazing achievements helping developmentally disabled adults at Noah Homes, Bobbi Brink at Lions, Tigers and Bears on her latest tiger rescue effort, plus a two-part interview with SDSU’s David McIllwain on terror and refugee issues, as well as tips from his class on emergency preparedness. On Bookshelf, hear from Bill “Santa” Swank on his book, Christmas in San Diego. Our news coverage also included the latest in the Alpine High School case, the Covert Canyon controversy, homeless issues,  Tribal Beat coverage of local and national Native American issues, and much more.

The East County Magazine Show airs Mondays and Fridays from 5 to 6 p.m. on KNSJ, 89.1 FM.  The shows rerun on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.

By Miriam Raftery

November 28, 2015 (San Diego) – In the wake of the Paris terror attacks and the Syrian refugee crisis, our East County Magazine show on KNSJ radio interviewed Jeffrey McIllwain, PhD, an SDSU professor with special expertise on national security, humanitarian and refugee issues who brings a thoughtful, multi-faceted approach to these complex issues.

Hear part 1 of our exclusive interview,  in which Dr. McIllwain discusses options for responding how to balance risk vs. humanitarian concerns in America’s response to terrorism and refugee concerns:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

November 22, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - - -Our August 2015 radio shows are now online!  You can listen online now (sound files may take a minute to load). For links to listen to the shows plus a full list of topics and interviews in August, click here and scroll down.

Our newsmaker interviews included the new Jamul Indian tribal chair, Erica Pinto  and casino manager Richard St. Jean, Ku’uipo Lawler, owner of the new Pacific Islander Beer Company in Santee (photo, right), Mark Arabo and Aamir Moshe speaking out on Iraqis detained by ICE at Otay(photo, left), Dr. Richard O. Butcher, National Medical Asosciation’s practitioner of the year, Barona tribal council member Beth Glasco on the Barona pow-wow, "Boltman" Dan Jareqgui and NFL anti-trust lawyer James Quinn on keeping the Chargers in town, along with representatives from Diego Valley Charter school, Hawley Vets Center, and Visionary Dance Theatre.

The East County Magazine Show airs Mondays and Fridays from 5 to 6 p.m. on KNSJ, 89.1 FM.  The shows rerun on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.

Hear our recent interview on KNSJ with Bruce Wilcox, manager of Environmental and Salton Sea programs: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

 

November 9, 2015 (Salton Sea)--The Salton Sea is an ecological disaster poised to get even worse in three years, when water flowing into the lake from the Colorado River is scheduled to be shut off. Already, the inland lake smells like rotten eggs, contaminated by toxic run-off. As it evaporates, pollutants threaten air quality in both Imperial and San Diego counties. It also threatens the many migratory and waterfowl birds in this rich but vanishing habitat.

But this week, the tide is beginning to turn. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is beginning the first restoration project at the Salton Sea along Red Hill Bay on the southern shore. The project will flood 420 acres of exposed lakebed with water from the nearby Alamo River and the lake, creating wetland habitat for migratory birds and also keeping toxic dust out of the air, while still leaving room for energy companies to tap the region’s vast geothermal potential.

October 11, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - - -Our July 2015 radio shows are now online!  You can listen online now (sound files may take a minute to load). For links to listen to the shows plus a full list of topics and interviews in July, click here and scroll down.

Our newsmaker interviews included Bruce Wilcox on a plan to save the Salton Sea, John Bolthouse with the Water Conservation Garden and some water-saving tips, author Paula Marguelies, representatives from the San Diego Concert Band, Mark Stevenson from the McAllister Institute, winery industry leaders on drastic new changes proposed to the county’s tiered winery ordinance, and our own interns with analysis on top presidential contenders, plus much more.

The East County Magazine Show airs Mondays and Fridays from 5 to 6 p.m. on KNSJ, 89.1 FM.  The shows rerun on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.

September 19, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - - -Our June 2015 radio shows are now online!  You can listen online now (sound files may take a minute to load). For links to listen to the shows plus a full list of topics and interviews in June, click here and scroll down.

Our interviews included representatives from the Senior Gleaners providing food for people in need, International Student Exchange, the San Diego Concert Band, the Water Conservation Garden with water-wise tips,  Enviro-Dems, Lionheart Academy of fencing, Lisa Wood on a controversial Lakeside sand mining project as well as her “long rider” cross country horseback trip, Assembly candidate Tony Teora, and a delegation of Philippino authors Sarka-Jonae Miller and Cherie Kephart, visitors here through a U.S. State Dept. program seeking ways to end corruption and improve government transparency.

Here our interview:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

September 2, 2015 (Lakeside) – In an interview with the East County Magazine on KNSJ, Barona tribal council member Beth Glasco shared insights into the 45^th annual Barona Powwow set for this weekend.  A powwow dancer herself, she discusses the history and origin of the Barona Powwow , as well as its cultural significance for her own family and for Native American tribal members who convene from across the nation to celebrate their heritage.

The 45^th Annual Barona Powwow begins on Friday, September 4 and ends Sunday, September 6. The three-day celebration held at the Barona Sports Park starts on Friday, September 4 with Gourd Dancing at 6 p.m. and the spectacular Grand Entry at 7 p.m. and continues throughout the weekend on Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Admission is free.

Hear our radio interview, originally aired on the East County Magazine Show on KNSJ:

https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

Story by Miriam Raftery, photo by Leon Thompson

August 28, 2015 (El Cajon) – Miguel Angel Soria and Peter Alkatib at Diego Valley Charter School in El Cajon are working wonders, helping 80% of their students—all at risk and drop-out youth—graduate with a high school diploma and go on to college or a career pathway. They are also co-producers of the Chaldean Voices documentary film debuting soon on KPBS and in El Cajon to celebrate Chaldean-American month.

About 30%  to 40% of the student body are Iraqi Chaldeans and most of the rest belong to other minority populations.  The school offers flexible scheduling to accommodate students who must work or raise children, also providing tutoring and other help to assure their students achieve their dreams.